Election deposit increased to $16,000

The election deposit for the coming general election on May 7 has been increased from $13,500 to $16,000 under the latest Parliamentary Elections Act.

Candidates who fail to secure at least 12.5 percent of the valid votes in their constituencies will have their election deposit forfeited.

Singapore has the world’s highest election deposit. In the United Kingdom, the deposit is only 500 pounds or slightly more than S$1,200.

The opposition has long protested against the high election deposits which discourage ordinary Singaporeans to participate in the elections.

This means that for a 6-member GRC, participating candidates will have to fork out a total of $96,000 in order to stand for election.

Unlike other first world countries, Singapore does not have an independent Election Commission which is under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Due to its absolute majority in parliament, the ruling PAP is able to pass any new bills or changes to existing laws at its whims and fancies without going through a parliamentary debate or consulting the people.

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Jeremy